Tuukka Rask turned an outstanding first season as the Boston Bruins’ No 1 goalie into a long-term commitment on Wednesday by signing an eight-year contract to stay with the Eastern Conference champions.
There was little doubt that the restricted free agent would be back, especially after the Bruins cleared about US$4.75 million in space under the salary cap when they sent Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars in a seven-player deal last Thursday.
The Bruins said the annual salary cap charge on Rask’s contract is US$7 million.
Boston lost the Stanley Cup finals in six games to Chicago, dropping the finale 3-2 on June 24 when the Blackhawks came from behind and scored two goals in the last 1:16.
Two days later, general manager Peter Chiarelli said, “I feel confident that we will get a deal done on Rask in short order.”
That same day, Rask said he would like to play with the Bruins “forever,” and the one-year contract he played under last season motivated him.